The other day Bridger got about seven inches of fluff. The skiing was awesome. In just a few days, that snow melted opening up bare batches on runs and sketchy navigation getting back down to the lodge. I had a few day passes on the hill and was kind of holding out for weather. However, with only a week left, I have to use them or lose them. Well, I had one really good day...
So the question is; is it time to panic? I just looked at the SNOTEL graph and it looks pretty rough. I think the highest levels of snowpack were in the Bridger's at around 87% and 90% feeding the upper Clark Fork. Some areas feeding the Gallatin are down to 68% of normal snow pack for this time of year and the Jeff is around 78%. I guess my response would be, what would panicking do?
I know it doesn't look good but there are a couple things to think about. Snowpack is important for feeding the rivers and having a sustained run-off that lasts through July and although it looks a little bleak, it's not over yet and you have to consider added precipitation we normally get throughout April, May, and June. Spring storms have a huge impact on water levels. If you recall one of the biggest waters years we've had, it was because we were getting pounded in late May and June and because we had a less than average snowpack, the powers at be held water back. The problem is because predicting spring precipitation is so difficult, the folks making the decision right now to either hold water in the reservoirs or release it have a particularly tough job. As for the free-stones, they don't have reservoirs so you get what you get and you just deal with it.
(FYI, they are holding water back right now on the Missouri, which means 4,000cfs, about 1,000 less than normal. It also means, however, that the water temps will be coming up and the fishing should get stupid good for the early season. If you have the means, you might want to take advantage of early season opportunities. Check out the link in the column to the left for up-to-date flows.)
Honestly, people have this negative perception of low water and the fishing but it doesn't have to be all that bad. I know it's tough on the free-stones because they warm up quickly and we end up with river closures, which sucks but most of the closures are hoot-owl closures where you can fish the mornings until noon or 2 o'clock. As for the Mo, the last really low water year was two years ago after a few high water years and in my opinion, the fishing was stupid good. You may have had to work for it and adapt but isn't that what we as guides and outfitters get paid for?
For the guides out there I would say, let's not panic just yet. A lot can happen in the next few months but if we do have low water, it gives you an opportunity to distinguish yourself as a pro. And for the sports; make sure you build a relationship with one of those pro's and you might find low water can equate to epic days on the river.
Keep 'em where they live...
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